£3.5 million for homelessness support in London

The Mayor of London and London councils have announced a new city-wide Ending Homelessness Accelerator Programme to help Londoners at risk of homelessness get the support they need as early as possible.

The programme is backed by £3.5 million secured by City Hall and London Councils from Government.

The programme will bring together more services to better prevent homelessness and get people help when they need it the most.

The funding will enable the testing of innovative approaches to preventing homelessness, as well as supporting a team to drive forward key reforms.

It is estimated that one in 50 Londoners are homeless and living in temporary accommodation, with boroughs spending £5.5 million on homelessness services every day.

City Hall and London boroughs now collectively spend over £1 billion annually on preventing and resolving all forms of homelessness.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I have been clear that every Londoner deserves a safe and secure home. The capital is acutely feeling the long-term consequences of a national housing crisis and local authorities have had their budgets slashed, forcing them away from preventing homelessness and into crisis management mode.  

“Our new programme will ensure those at risk of or already experiencing homelessness get the support they need as early as possible. By working in partnership with London Councils, Government and experts we can make resources available to prevent homelessness early and ensure improvements are made to the quality of temporary accommodation.  

“I am committed to ending rough sleeping by 2030 and providing support to get people off the streets – ultimately preventing them from becoming homeless in the first place. Ensuring people can access the help they need, when they need it, is at the centre of our plan, as we work together to build a safer, fairer London for everyone.” 

Cllr Grace Williams, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Regeneration, said: “London is grappling with a homelessness emergency, with one in 50 Londoners now living in temporary accommodation. On average there is at least one homeless child in every London classroom – an appalling statistic.

“Homelessness has a devastating impact on those who experience it and we are especially concerned about the children and young Londoners growing up in temporary accommodation. We are determined to turn this situation around.

“The Ending Homelessness Accelerator Programme is an important step forward in our pan-London partnership. In the face of enormous challenges and constraints, we are pleased to be working alongside the Mayor, the government, and other crucial partners, on improving coordination and driving innovation to help end all forms of homelessness more quickly.”